Cheryl Kay Ruis, 61, passed away May 4, 2016 in St. Cloud, MN with family by her side.
Please join the Ruis family for a Celebration of Life June 12, 2016 at Lakeside Christian Church on Lake Fannie, East of Cambridge, MN. Visiting 2-3 p.m. Service 3 p.m., followed by picnic.
Cheryl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Ruth (Clough) Ruis on December 23, 1954 in Princeton, MN, the youngest of six children. She was baptized in the Christian faith and loved Jesus her entire life. The Ruis family lived on their Princeton Farm until Cheryl was 9 years old. Mrs. Ruis went to work at the State Hospital (Regional Center) when Cheryl was moved there in 1963 and the family moved to Isanti to stay close together.
Cheryl Kay was born with Down’s Syndrome, and the family became very active in the ARC community both fundraising and social activities. After their parents died, brother Skip became legal guardian, and Cheryl moved into the Jeff and Kathi Sharbono foster home in Cambridge, MN where Cheryl lived for the past 18+ years as foster ‘sibling’ to the Sharbono children: Joe, Jacob (Megan), Mackenzie, and Justin (Rebecca), all of whom she loved very much.
Cheryl was employed many years at Industries, Inc. assembling tackle boxes, birdhouse kits, and various piece-work which she enjoyed. She always had a smile on her face and joy in her heart. Some of her favorite things included watching wrestling, making crafts, painting her nails, shopping, picnics, pets, children, playing cards/SkipBo, teasing relatives, coloring in notebooks and word puzzle books, and going out for pie. She liked pens with caps, Diet Coke, and all shades of purple. Cheryl had many PCA friends over the years, and special worker, LaRae Gravely, of Sherburne County.
Cheryl Kay Ruis is survived by her five siblings, James Ruis of Milaca, Roger (Sandra) Ruis of Danville, VA, Garry (Judy) Ruis of Elk River, Maxine (Bob) Burroughs of Beatrice, NE and Skip (Tina) Ruis of Stanchfield, MN; nieces and nephews, Darcy (Mark) VanBeek, Troy (Julie) Ruis, Scott (Connie) Ruis, Robyn (Rick) Berkley, Ron Ruis, Michelle Burroughs (Curt Backer), Michael (Jill) Burroughs, Monica (Bill) Zeller, Jeremiah (Jennifer) Ruis, Isaiah (Jessica) Ruis, Angela (Jessie) Weber, Amanda (Aaron) Johnson, Jeff, Brenda and Jason Ruis; aunts Joanne Ruis and Sylvia Ruis; and many great nieces and nephews and extended family; special friends Beth and Jimmy.
Private Interment Lakeside Cemetery, Spencer Brook, MN.
Please join us in wearing any purple (if you like) to celebrate Cheryl’s life SUNDAY AFTERNOON JUNE 12th at Lakeside Church, 32393 Redova Cir. NE, Cambridge, MN. Memorials for funeral expenses, or donations to www.dsamn.org Down’s Syndrome Association of MN in Cheryl’s name are appreciated.